Community mourns Miller family

SANDUSKY — Community members expressed grief and offered condolences after three members of a local family died in a car crash on Thursday. The Miller family, from left, Haley, Wesley, Jena, Joseph and Connor. COPPER SQUIRREL PHOTOGRAPHY Richard Miller, 67, of Sandusky; Richard's son, Joseph Miller, 41, of Vickery; and Richard's grandson/Joseph's son, Connor Miller, 13, of Vickery, were killed when the Ford F-250 they were driving in was struck by a van in Seneca County. Margaretta Schools expressed its sympathies for the Miller family and also offered counseling for children at Margaretta Middle School and Margaretta High School. Those counseling opportunities occur from 8 a.m. to noon on Monday and from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. "This is a terrible tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Miller family," Margaretta Schools superintendent Ed Kurt said. "We have a very close school and community, and many of us are hurting right now. We will provide and find support through this situation." What happened The crash occurred at about 11 a.m. Thursday at the intersection of Ohio 18 and County Road 24 in Scipio Township, Seneca County, according to a news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. A Ram Promaster van operated by a 57-year-old Janera, Ohio, man was traveling westbound on County Road 24. The van allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign on Ohio 18 and struck a northeast-bound Ford F-250, operated by Joseph Miller. A southwest-bound Freightliner semi-truck, operated by a 42-year-old Tampa, Florida, man then struck the F-250 and the Promaster. The F-250 and the Freightliner continued off the southwest corner of the intersection where both vehicles overturned, the release states. Richard Miller, Joseph Miller and Connor Miller all suffered fatal injuries at the scene, the release states. The van operator and the Tampa man were both taken to the hospital after sustaining serious injuries. Lt. Jordan L. Schwochow of the patrol's Norwalk post said that the two other drivers involved in the fatal crash should survive. "At this point, they are both expected to be fine, as they were both transported to hospitals with non-life threatening injuries," Schwochow said. Schwochow added that his agency is still investigating the crash, which would determine if anyone would be criminally charged in relation to the fatal crash. "Once we complete the investigation, we will move forward with whatever charges are appropriate," he said. In remembrance Richard Miller was a 40-year veteran of the Perkins Fire Department, according to a department social media post. He first started at the department as a part-time firefighter in 1980 and retired from the department in 2019. During that time, he rose through the ranks, first to a full-time firefighter and then to lieutenant and captain with the department. Richard Miller Provided photo/PERKINS TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT Perkins fire Chief Dave Murphy described him as a true public servant who strived to help others every day. "Rich was a great firefighter and officer," Murphy said. "He was a mentor, a leader, a confidante, a friend and a brother — not only to myself but countless others. Rich was black and white. There was no gray. But you always knew where he stood, and there was no doubt he was doing what he thought was best for his crew and the citizens. Murphy added: "Above all else, he was a good man. He loved his wife, Sharon, his sons, Joe and Christopher, and he loved his grandchildren. My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. Words cannot express our sadness. RIH Rich, Joe and Connor, you will truly be missed." Other community members also expressed their condolences for the family and sadness over the tragedy. • "Heartbreaking. Prayers to the entire family and also his work family and friends," Meridyth Gilhuly said. • "Praying for the family and all affected by this terrible unthinkable tragedy," Kathy Smith said. • "So very sorry to family and all that knew them. Such a sad, senseless tragedy," Deborah Stacy said. As of late Friday, information on visitation and funeral services for Richard Miller, Joseph Miller and Connor Miller were not known. Editor's note: This story was updated to correct the spelling of a name. Editor's note: Elizabeth Keefe contributed reporting.